A couple from Sydney can no longer live in their apartment in Cali following a 7.4-magnitude earthquake
A couple from Sydney—Ana María Chávez and Christian Bittancourt—can no longer live in their apartment in Cali, Colombia, following the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck on August 10. Their third-floor apartment in a high-rise building has been deemed too unstable to live in, according to ABC News Australia.
During the tremors, Chávez and Bittancourt, along with Chávez’s elderly mother, took shelter under the dining table. According to them, a wall in the apartment collapsed on top of them. Their large German Shepherd was nearby but could not fit under the table.
After the tremors subsided, the couple went outside. Bitancourt said he saw people there who were crying, confused, and didn’t know what to do because communication had been cut off. They returned to their apartment only briefly to retrieve clothes and medication.
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Chavez and Bittancourt are currently staying with Chavez’s stepmother. The couple moved to Cali a little over a year ago and do not yet know where they will live next. Chavez noted that it is still dangerous to walk near heavily damaged buildings on the city’s streets.
In Sydney, members of the Colombian community held a charity event at a restaurant in the Ashfield neighborhood. The program included traditional dishes, music, a raffle, and performances, and the proceeds were to be donated to the Red Cross. Organizer Daniela Valencia reported that her sister lost all her belongings as a result of the earthquake.
Chavez and Bittancourt also tried to join the relief efforts near a collapsed building in Cali, but police asked volunteers to disperse due to the large number of people eager to help. Rescue operations in the city are ongoing.
